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Integrated Current Balancing Transformer Based
Input-Parallel Output-Parallel LLC Resonant
Converter Modules
Ubaid Ahmad1*, Honnyong Cha1, Nabeel Naseem1, Duc-Tuan Do1
1 School of Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
*Email: engrubaid0456@gmail.com
Abstract— Input-parallel output-parallel (IPOP) connected
converter system allows the use of low power converter
modules for high power applications. In this paper, a reliable
integrated current balancing transformer (ICBT) is proposed
for the current balancing requirement of IPOP LLC resonant
converter modules. The proposed ICBT based IPOP LLC
resonant converter modules ensures both input current
sharing (ICS) and output current sharing (OCS) in constituent
modules, without dedicated controller. The proposed ICBT is
basically the resonant inductors of LLC resonant converter
modules, coupled to perform the function of current balancing,
and also have enough leakage inductance for resonance
operation simultaneously. Moreover, the proposed ICBT can
significantly reduce the overall magnetic volume, and increase
the power density of IPOP LLC resonant converter modules.
Magnetic and electrical models of the proposed ICBT have
been presented in this paper. To validate the performance of
the proposed ICBT based IPOP LLC resonant converter
modules, a 2.5 kW hardware prototype has been designed,
fabricated and tested successfully.
Keywords— IPOP LLC converter modules, magnetic
integration, current balancing transformer, input current
sharing, output current sharing.
I. INTRODUCTION
Generally, parallel connection of converters is an efficient
and reliable way of increasing the power rating and reducing
the current stresses on switching devices. The IPOP system
allows low power rating module to be utilized as high power
rating converter system. In addition, the IPOP system offers
several advantages such as; reducing the current stresses of
components, magnetic volume and improve reliability of the
system. However, parallel connection of converters may
have mismatch in parameters such as; mismatch in resonant
capacitance value, transformer turn ratios, magnetizing
inductance, and resonant inductance value. The
aforementioned mismatched parameters cause power
imbalance in IPOP LLC constituent modules, which make
the IPOP converter system unreliable. Hence, it is a great
challenge with IPOP converter system, to ensure ICS and
OCS in the presence of a quantifiable mismatch in LLC
modules parameters [1]-[3].
In order to overcome ICS and OCS between constituent
modules in the IPOP system, several closed loop control
strategies have been extensively studied [4]-[5]. In [6]-[7],
master voltage loop, and master-slave load sharing loop to
Ý .,3(
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ensure current sharing between constituent modules.
However, the main drawback of master-slave control
scheme is reliability. In addition, existing control schemes
for IPOP system complicates the whole system, and high
cost of the closed loop control components make the system
less attractive.
Mostly for isolated dc-dc converters, the phase shift full
bridge (PSFB) converter has been widely used from medium
to high power applications [8]. However, PSFB faced with
the zero voltage switching (ZVS) turn on of lagging leg
switches at light load and reverse recovery problem of bridge
rectifier at secondary side. Compared to PSFB dc-dc
converter, LLC resonant converter can achieve ZVS at
primary side, and zero current switching (ZCS) at secondary
side even at light load, and can achieve high efficiency, high
power density. The aforementioned advantages make LLC
resonant converter a good choice for high frequency
isolation, while operating close to the resonance frequency
[9]-[14].
In [15], magnetic-coupling current-balancing (MC-CB)
cell based IPOP LLC resonant converter modules is
proposed, to achieve ICS and OCS in the constituent
modules. Although, MC-CB cell based IPOP LLC modules
can achieve ICS and OCS quiet good under open loop
condition. However, [15] uses extra inductors for LLC tank
circuit to complete the resonance operation with MC-CB
cells. Due to which the proposed current balancing scheme
significantly increase the overall magnetic volume, and
decrease the power density of IPOP LLC resonant converter
modules.
In order to reduces the overall magnetic volume and
increase the power density, an integrated current balancing
transformer (ICBT) based IPOP LLC resonant converter is
proposed in this paper. The proposed ICBT utilize the
resonant inductors of LLC tank circuit for resonance
operation, as well as a current balancing transformer. Hence,
the proposed method does not require extra current
balancing cell between the constituent LLC modules. The
proposed ICBT has some good features such as: (1) reduces
the magnetic volume, (2) increases the power density, and
(3) ensures both ICS and OCS in IPOP LLC resonant
converters quiet effectively under open loop condition.

 II. IPOP SYSTEM BASED ON LLC RESONANT CONVERTER where ܺ௅௠ ൌ ݆߱‫ܮ‬௠ , ܺ஼௥ ൌ ͳȀ݆߱‫ܥ‬௥ , the gain equation
The proposed IPOP system based on LLC resonant reported in [14] can be re-written as follows:
converter is shown in Fig. 1. LLC resonant converter has ͳ
‫ܩ‬ൌ ሺͺሻ
some attractive features such as; smooth waveforms, ඥሺͳȀ‫ܮ‬௡ ൅ ͳ െ ͳȀ‫ܮ‬௡ ݂௡ଶ ሻଶ ൅ ܳଶ ሺͳȀ݂௡ െ ݂௡ ሻଶ
galvanic isolation, high efficiency and high power density where ‫ܮ‬௡ ൌ ‫ܮ‬௠ Ȁ‫ܮ‬௥ , ݂௡ ൌ ݂௦௪ Ȁ݂௥ , ܳ ൌ ඥ‫ܮ‬௥ Ȁ‫ܥ‬௥ Ȁܴ௔௖ are the
[9]-[10]. In this paper LLC resonant converter is choose to inductances ratio, normalized frequency and quality factor
operate close to the resonance frequency of LLC tank circuit, of tank circuit respectively. In order to get good conversion
which provide high frequency isolation and ensure zero efficiency the operating frequency should be selected close
voltage switching at primary side and zero current switching to the resonance frequency of LLC tank circuit (݂௦௪ ൌ ݂௥ ).
at secondary side of converter. In addition, the LLC resonant The LLC tank circuit acts as a higher order filter to filter out
converter while operating close to resonance frequency can all the odd harmonics from the fundamental component of
provide unity voltage gain and become independent of the ‫ݒ‬௔௕ ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ.
load condition. Magnetizing inductance ‫ܮ‬௠ is always a trade-off between
The AC equivalent circuit model of full bridge LLC conduction loss and switching loss of LLC resonant
resonant converter [see Fig. 2] is depicted in Fig. 3. Which
converter. Decreasing ‫ܮ‬௠ would increase the peak of
consists of transformer, full bridge rectifier, capacitor filter,
magnetizing current in tank circuit, as well as the turn off
and dc load resistor can be modeled as an ac load
current of switching device. The magnetizing inductor
resistance. First Harmonic Approximation (FHA) is applied
to simplify the analysis of the LLC resonant converter. current freewheels in the primary side, and do not take part
in power transferring to the load which causes conduction
According to Fourier series, the square wave ‫ݒ‬௔௕ ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ input
to the LLC tank circuit contains dc component, first losses in converter. To reduce the conduction losses in LLC
harmonic, and higher odd harmonics, which can be resonant converter the magnetizing inductor ‫ܮ‬௠ should be
expressed as follows: selected a higher value. Furthermore, with larger resonant
Ͷܸ௜௡ Ͷܸ௜௡ inductor ‫ܮ‬௥ value the current stress on the components can
‫ݒ‬௔௕ ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ ൌ Ͳ ൅ •‹ሺ߱‫ݐ‬ሻ ൅ ෍ •‹ሺ߱݊‫ݐ‬ሻ ሺͳሻ be reduced.
ߨ ߨ
௡ୀଷǡହǡ଻ǥ
where ߱ ൌ ʹߨ݂௦ , ݂௦ is the switching frequency and also the I in I in1 I o1 Io
frequency of the first harmonic component, ܸ௜௡ is the input
I in 2 S1a S3a D1a D3a
or dc-link voltage of the converter, by using first harmonic Cr 1 n :1 Io2
approximation, the fundamental component cab be obtained a1
Vin vab1 ir1 Lm1 Coa RL
as
Ͷܸ௜௡ b1
‫ݒ‬௔௕ ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ ൌ •‹ሺ߱‫ݐ‬ሻ ሺʹሻ S2a S 4a Lr1 D2a D4a
ߨ
On the output side, ‫ݒ‬௢ ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻƒis approximated as a square
wave, the fundamental frequency component of the output S1b S3b D1b D3b
Lr 2
n :1
square wave voltage can be obtained as follows: a2
Ͷܸ݊௢ vab 2 ir 2 L Cob
‫ݒ‬௢ ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ ൌ •‹ሺ߱‫ݐ‬ሻ ሺ͵ሻ b2
m2

ߨ
The primary current or the resonant inductor current S2b S 4b Cr 2 D2b D4b
equation can be expressed as follows:
Ͷܸ݊௢ Ȁߨ Fig. 1. IPOP system based on LLC resonant converters.
݅௥ ൌ •‹ሺ߱‫ݐ‬ሻ ሺͶሻ
ܺ௅௠ ȀȀܴ௔௖
The resonance frequency of LLC converter is decided by D1 D3
Io
S1 S3 Cr
the resonant capacitor ‫ܥ‬௥ and resonant inductor ‫ܮ‬௥ values as n :1
a
follows:
ͳ Vin vab ir Lm Co RL Vo
݂௥ ൌ ሺͷሻ b
ʹߨඥ‫ܮ‬௥ ‫ܥ‬௥ S4 Lr
S2 D2 D4
AC equivalent resistance of LLC resonant converter can
LLC Tank Circuit
be written as follows: MOSFET Bridge Diode Bridge
‫ݒ‬୭ሺ௥௠௦ሻ ሺʹξʹȀɎሻܸ୭ ͺ Fig. 2. Full bridge LLC resonant converter.
ܴ௔௖ ൌ ൌ ൌ ܴ ሺ͸ሻ
݅୭ሺ௥௠௦ሻ ሺߨȀʹξʹሻ୭ ߨ ଶ ௅
Based on the AC equivalent circuit shown in Fig. 3 the
voltage gain transfer function can be derived as follows:
ሺܺ௅௠ ȀȀܴ௔௖ ሻ
ܸ௚ǡ௧௙ ሺ‫ݏ‬ሻ ൌ ሺ͹ሻ
ሺܺ௅௠ ȀȀܴ௔௖ ሻ ൅ ሺሺܺ௅௥ ൅ ܺ஼௥ ሻ



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 Cr Lr isec Cr Lr isec Based on Fig. 5(a) a simplified model of the two LLC
modules can be drawn as shown in Fig. 5(b). The voltages
ir im ir im can be seen to the ICBT on each side of adjacent modules
vab (t ) RL vo (t ) vab vo Rac can be written as follows:
Lm Lm
‫ݒ‬௜௡ଵ ൌ ሺܺ௅௠ଵ ȀȀܴ௔௖ଵ ሻ݅௥ଵ ൅ ‫ݒ‬௅ଵଵ ሺͻሻ
(a) (b) ‫ݒ‬௜௡ଶ ൌ ሺܺ௅௠ଶ ȀȀܴ௔௖ଶ ሻ݅௥ଶ ൅ ‫ݒ‬௅ଶଶ ሺͳͲሻ
Fig. 3. (a) Simplified model of full bridge LLC resonant converter. (b) where ܺ௅௠ଵ , ܺ௅௠ଶ and ܴ௔௖ଵ , ܴ௔௖ଶ are the magnetizing react-
Circuit model under first harmonic approximation (FHA). ances and ac load resistances to the flow of main primary
side current ݅௥ଵ , ݅௥ଶ and ‫ݒ‬௅ଵଵ , ‫ݒ‬௅ଶଶ are the induced voltages
III. PROPOSED ICBT BASED IPOP LLC RESONANT on the terminal of the proposed ICBT on each sides
CONVERTER MODULES respectively.
Fig. 4 shows the circuit diagram of the proposed ICBT
based IPOP LLC modules, which consists of two LLC vCr1
resonant converter modules, and integrated current
C
balancing transformer. The proposed ICBT is the result of vin1 ir1 r1 Lm1 vo1
magnetic integration of two resonant inductors between the Rac1
ir1
constituent LLC modules. The proposed ICBT based vlk1
method performs two main functions: (1) complete the vL11 Llk1
resonance operation for individual LLC module, and (2)

1:1
ensures both ICS and OCS between the IPOP LLC resonant
vL 22 ir 2
converter modules. i ir 2
vlk 2 Llk 2 X Lm1 / / Rac1 r 1
1:1 X Lm 2 / / Rac 2
A. AC Equivalent Circuit of ICBT Based Two IPOP LLC ir 2
Resonant Converter Modules vin1 vL11 vL 22 vin 2
vin 2 Lm 2 vo 2
The AC equivalent model of the proposed ICBT based Cr 2 Rac 2
two IPOP LLC resonant converter modules is depicted in vCr 2
Fig. 5. As discussed above, at switching frequency equal to
(a) (b)
the resonance frequency ሺ݂௦௪ ؆ ݂௥ ሻ , the inductive and Fig. 5. (a) AC equivalent model of the proposed ICBT based IPOP two LLC
capacitive reactances is almost equal and cancel out each resonant converter modules. (b) Simplified model of (a).
other. Thus, the net reactance in the above condition is
݆߱௥ ‫ܮ‬௥ ൅ ͳȀ݆߱௥ ‫ܥ‬௥ ؆ Ͳ. B. Magnetic Model of Separate Inductor and of the
The simplified model of IPOP modules expresses the Proposed ICBT
input and output voltages of the constituent modules as;
Fig. 6(a) shows the magnetic model of separate inductors.
‫ݒ‬௜௡ଵ ൌ ݊‫ݒ‬௢ଵ and ‫ݒ‬௜௡ଶ ൌ ݊‫ݒ‬௢ଶ where, ݊ is the turn ratio of
which are individually, utilized for resonance operation of
main transformer, and ‫ݒ‬௜௡ଵ , ‫ݒ‬௜௡ଶ are the input and ‫ݒ‬௢ଵ , ‫ݒ‬௢ଶ
LLC modules. A special UU-shape ferrite core is introduced
are the output voltages of the constituent LLC modules for resonant inductors design, later on the individual
respectively. inductors are integrated together to form a combined
structure. The result of magnetic integration of two inductors
I in I in1 I o1 Io is named as integrated current balancing transformer
D1a D3a
(ICBT). The magnetic model of the proposed ICBT is shown
I in 2 S1a S3a Cr 1
n :1 Io2 in Fig. 6(b).
a1
Vin vab1 The UU-shape ferrite cores are introduced first for couple
Lm1 Coa RL
b1 inductor in two phase buck converter [16], to reduce the
inductor current ripple with strong coupling co-efficient, and
ir1

S2a S 4a D2a D4a

also have enough leakage inductance to reduce output
1:1

D1b D3b
current ripple simultaneously. The same UU-shape cores are
S1b S3b
n :1 proposed in LLC resonant converter modules, in order to
ir 2

a2
vab 2 Lm 2 Cob
have strong coupling in central core to ensure current
b2 balancing between the constituent LLC modules, and also
S 2b S 4b Cr 2 D2b D4b
have enough leakage inductance to complete the resonance
operation in constituent LLC resonant converter modules
simultaneously [16]-[18].
Fig. 4. The proposed ICBT based IPOP two LLC resonant converter
The central UU-shape cores of ICBT are tightly coupled
modules.
having no air gap thus provides a low reluctance path to the
magnetic flux. While, the UU-shape cores on each side of



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the proposed ICBT are connected with a small air gap to ݀
‫ݒ‬ெଶ ൌ ‫ܮ‬௟௞ଶ ሺ݅ ሻ ൅ ‫ݒ‬௅ଶଶ ሺͳʹሻ
generate the required resonant inductances for constituent ݀‫ ݐ‬௥ଶ
LLC modules. where ‫ݒ‬ெଵ , ‫ݒ‬ெଶ and ‫ݒ‬௅ଵଵ , ‫ݒ‬௅ଶଶ are the terminal and induced
voltages of the proposed ICBT respectively. As the two
ir1 ir 2 windings of ICBT are inversely coupled. Hence, more
general equation can be deduced for inversely coupled coils
& & as follows:
݀ ݀
‫ݒ‬௅ଵଵ ൌ ‫ܮ‬ଵଵ ሺ݅௥ଵ ሻ െ ‫ܯ‬ଵ ሺ݅௥ଶ ሻሺͳ͵ሻ
݀‫ݐ‬ ݀‫ݐ‬
݀ ݀
‫ݒ‬௅ଶଶ ൌ ‫ܮ‬ଶଶ ሺ݅௥ଶ ሻ െ ‫ܯ‬ଶ ሺ݅௥ଵ ሻሺͳͶሻ
݀‫ݐ‬ ݀‫ݐ‬
where ‫ܮ‬ଵଵ , ‫ܮ‬ଶଶ and ‫ܯ‬ଵ , ‫ܯ‬ଶ are the self and mutual
& & inductances of the proposed ICBT respectively.
The mutual inductance, leakage inductances and coupling
co-efficient of the proposed ICBT can be obtained as
(a) follows:
‫ܮ‬௦௘௥௜௘௦ െ ‫ܮ‬௣௔௥௔௟௟௘௟
‫ܯ‬ൌ ሺͳͷሻ
ir1 ir 2 Ͷ
‫ܮ‬௟௞ ൌ ሺͳ െ ݇ሻ‫ܮ‬௦௘௟௙ ሺͳ͸ሻ
‫ܯ‬
& & ݇ൌ
ඥ‫ܮ‬௦௘௟௙ଵ ‫ܮ‬௦௘௟௙ଶ
ሺͳ͹ሻ

Similarly, ‫ܮ‬௠ ൌ ݇‫ܮ‬௦௘௟௙ and for ‫ܮ‬௦௘௟௙ଵ ൌ ‫ܮ‬௦௘௟௙ଶ ൌ ‫ܮ‬௦௘௟௙ the

coupling co-efficient becomes ݇ ൌ ‫ܯ‬Ȁ‫ܮ‬௦௘௟௙ . While, for the
mutual inductance, ‫ܮ‬௦௘௥௜௘௦ and ‫ܮ‬௣௔௥௔௟௟௘௟ inductances can
found by the series and parallel connection of the two
& & windings of the proposed ICBT.
The coupling co-efficient of ICBT is directly related to the
air gap of the side UU-cores. As long as the air gap on both
(b) sides of ICBT increases the more magnetic flux will links to
Fig. 6. Magnetic models. (a) Separate inductors. (b) Proposed ICBT. the central UU-cores. Thus, the coupling co-efficient will
increases. Furthermore, by reducing the air gap the magnetic
C. Electrical Model of the Proposed ICBT flux flow to the side UU-cores increases, which will reduces
Based on the magnetic model of the proposed ICBT as the coupling co-efficient between the two windings of the
shown in Fig. 6(b), an electrical model can be built as shown proposed ICBT.
in Fig. 7.
The proposed electrical model represents ͳǣ ͳtransformer, IV. CURRENT SHARING PERFORMANCE OF THE PROPOSED
magnetizing inductance ‫ܮ‬௠ and two leakage inductances ICBT
‫ܮ‬௟௞ଵ , ‫ܮ‬௟௞ଶ on module 1 and module 2 sides of the proposed
A. Steady-State Current Sharing Performance ሺ݅௥ଵ ൌ ݅௥ଶ ሻ
ICBT respectively. The terminal voltages of ICBT on
module 1 and module 2 sides can be derived as follows: Current balancing can be explained based on the magnetic
and electrical model of the proposed ICBT as shown in Fig.
Llk1 ir1 ir 2 Llk 2 6(b) and Fig. 7. When the resonant inductor current ݅௥ଵ of
module 1 flowing through ICBT generates magnetic flux
1:1 ߮ଵଵ pointing in one direction, while at the same time the
vlk1 vlk 2 resonant inductor current ݅௥ଶ of module 2 flowing through
vM 1 Lm vL 22 vM 2 ICBT generates magnetic flux ߮ଶଶ pointing in opposite
vL11 direction in the central UU-shape cores as shown in Fig.
6(b).
In the steady state condition, when two LLC module
Fig. 7. Electrical model of the proposed ICBT. current are equal (݅௥ଵ ൌ ݅௥ଶ ). The magnetic flux ߮ଵଵ and ߮ଶଶ
 which have the same magnitude but opposite direction will
݀ cancel the effect of each other in the central UU-cores. Thus,
‫ݒ‬ெଵ ൌ ‫ܮ‬௟௞ଵ ሺ݅௥ଵ ሻ ൅ ‫ݒ‬௅ଵଵ ሺͳͳሻ the net flux in the central cores will be zero. The difference
݀‫ݐ‬



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in induced voltages on both sides of the central UU-cores fluxes and the product of number of turns and inductor
will also becomes zero. currents ሺܰ݅௥ ሻ is the magneto-motive force of two inductors
‫ݒ‬௅ଶଶ െ ‫ݒ‬௅ଵଵ ൌ Ͳ respectively. When the current in the ܰ turns starts flowing,
൝߮௡௘௧ ൌ ߮ଶଶ െ ߮ଵଵ ൌ Ͳ ሺͳͺሻ it generates magneto-motive force to drive the magnetic flux
݅௥ଵ ൌ ݅௥ଶ inside the cores. The loop equations for separate inductors
where ߮௡௘௧ is the net magnetic flux in the central UU-cores. can be written as follows:
ଷ
B. Dynamic-State Current Sharing Performance ሺ݅௥ଶ ൒ ܰଵ ݅௥ଵ ൌ ቀ Ը௖ ൅ ʹԸ௔௚ଵ ቁ ߮௟ଵ ሺʹʹሻ
ସ
݅௥ଵ ሻ ଷ
ܰଶ ݅௥ଶ ൌ ቀ Ը௖ ൅ ʹԸ௔௚ଶ ቁ ߮௟ଶ ሺʹ͵ሻ
ସ
Consider the case when the two resonant inductor currents Simplify equations (22) and (23) for loop fluxes. It will
of two LLC modules are not equal. The performance of the reduces to
proposed ICBT can be verified in the mentioned condition to ܰଵ
balance the constituent LLC modules currents. When ሺ݅௥ଶ ൒ ߮௟ଵ ൌ ሺ݅௥ଵ ሻሺʹͶሻ
͵
݅௥ଵ ሻ the magnetic flux generated by the two currents will Ը௖ ൅ ʹԸ௔௚ଵ
Ͷ
also not be equal ሺ߮ଶଶ ൒ ߮ଵଵ ሻ . Similarly, the induced ܰଶ
voltages on module 2 side will be greater than module 1 side. ߮௟ଶ ൌ ሺ݅௥ଶ ሻሺʹͷሻ
͵
Hence, as long as there is a difference in two currents, it will Ը௖ ൅ ʹԸ௔௚ଶ
Ͷ
generate the net flux in the central core. According to ampere
circuital law:
ߤ௖ ሺ݅௥ଶ െ ݅௥ଵ ሻܰ௜௖௕௧ ‫ܣ‬௘
߮௡௘௧ ൌ ሺͳͻሻ 1 1
݈௘ ℜc N1ir1 N 2ir 2 ℜc
‫ݒ‬௅ଶଶ ൐ ‫ݒ‬௅ଵଵ 2 ϕl 1 ϕl 2 2
൝ ߮௡௘௧ ് Ͳ ሺʹͲሻ 1 1
߮௡௘௧ ൌ ߮ଶଶ െ ߮ଵଵ 2ℜag1 ℜc ℜc 2ℜag 2
4 4
where ߤ௖ is the permeability of the core, ܰ௜௖௕௧ is the turns of
ICBT, ‫ܣ‬௘ is cross-sectional area of the core and ݈௘ is
magnetic path length of the core respectively. (a) (b)
Fig. 8. Reluctance models. (a) Inductor of LLC module 1. (b) Inductor of
The net magnetic flux in the central UU-cores will induce LLC module 2.
electromotive force, and that electromotive force will induce
current. According to len’z law, it will oppose its own cause By taking derivative of equation (24) and (25), we know
producing it. As a result ‫ݒ‬௅ଶଶ will decreases and ‫ݒ‬௅ଵଵ will ‫ݒ‬Ȁܰ ൌ ݀Ȁ݀‫ݐ‬ሺ߮௟ ሻ so the above equations yields
increases, until ሺ‫ݒ‬௅ଶଶ ൌ ‫ݒ‬௅ଵଵ ሻ . In the same way, resonant ܰଶ ݀
current ݅௥ଶ of module 2 will decreases and ݅௥ଵ of module 1 ‫ݒ‬ଵ ൌ ሺ݅௥ଵ ሻሺʹ͸ሻ
͵
will increases, until the two resonant inductor currents Ը௖ ൅ ʹԸ௔௚ଵ ݀‫ݐ‬
Ͷ
become evenly distributed between the two LLC modules. ܰଶ ݀
‫ݒ‬௅ଶଶ െ ‫ݒ‬௅ଵଵ ൌ Ͳ ‫ݒ‬ଶ ൌ ሺ݅௥ଵ ሻሺʹ͹ሻ
͵
൝߮ଶଶ ൌ ߮ଵଵ ǡ ߮௡௘௧ ൌ Ͳ ሺʹͳሻ Ը௖ ൅ ʹԸ௔௚ଶ ݀‫ݐ‬
Ͷ
ଷ ଷ
݅௥ଶ ൌ ݅௥ଵ where ‫ܮ‬ଵ =ܰ ଶ Ȁሺ Ը௖ ൅ ʹԸ௔௚ଵ ሻ and ‫ܮ‬ଶ =ܰ ଶ Ȁሺ Ը௖ ൅ ʹԸ௔௚ଶ ሻ
ସ ସ
When the induced voltages on ICBT become equal, the are inductances of two separate inductors in term of core and
two fluxes will completely cancel out its effect in central air gap reluctances with the same number of turns ܰ. While
cores. So the net magnetic flux in the core will become zero.
Ը௖ ൌ ݈௖ Ȁሺߤ௥ ߤ௢ ‫ܣ‬௘ ሻ and Ը௔௚ ൌ ݈௚௔௣ Ȁሺߤ௢ ‫ܣ‬௘ ሻ are the air gap
The imbalance in two currents is realized in this way. The
and core reluctances, which can be found from the core and
very similar analysis can be applied to the case, when ሺ݅௥ଵ ൒
air gap parameters of two inductors.
݅௥ଶ ሻ. Hence, the current balancing can be realized likewise in
the constituent LLC modules, either ሺ݅௥ଶ ൒ ݅௥ଵ or ሺ݅௥ଵ ൒
݅௥ଶ ሻ. B. Reluctance Model of the Proposed ICBT
Based on the magnetic model of the proposed ICBT,
V. RELUCTANCE MODELS OF SEPARATE INDUCTORS AND OF reluctance model can be built as shown in Fig. 9. A single
THE PROPOSED ICBT magnitude of reluctance is considered for each air gap at
A. Reluctance Model of Separate Inductors each side, the two air gap is then added for further
simplifications. Core reluctance of the each leg of ICBT is
Fig. 8 shows the reluctance model of separate inductors considered, while two windings of ICBT represented as a
based on magnetic model shown in Fig. 6(a) utilizing special magneto-motive force (mmf) sources for leg 1 and leg 2. The
UU-cores, where Ը௖ is the reluctance shown by the ferrite reluctance model consists of three loops, one main loop and
core to the magnetic flux and Ը௔௚ is the reluctance shown by two side loops.
the air gap to the magnetic flux. ߮௟ଵ and ߮௟ଶ are the loop



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 1
ℜc
4

N1ir1 N 2ir 2
1 1
ℜc ℜc
2
ϕl 1 ϕnet ϕl 2 2
1 1
2ℜag1 4
ℜc
4
ℜc 2ℜag 2

1
ℜc
4
Fig. 9. Reluctance model of the proposed ICBT.

(a)
VI. SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
For the validation of the proposed ICBT based IPOP LLC
modules, first a single LLC module is designed, fabricated
and tested. Experimental results of single LLC module is
shown in Fig. 10, with switching frequency equal to ͷͲ݇‫ݖܪ‬
and power rating of 2.5 kW. The designed key parameters of
single LLC module are; ‫ܮ‬௥ ൌ ͵ʹǤͶ‫ ܪݑ‬,‫ܥ‬௥ ൌ ͵͵Ͳ݊‫ ܨ‬, ‫ܮ‬௠ ൌ
ͳͻͺ‫ ܪݑ‬and transformer turn ratio is ͳǣ ͳ.
Based on single LLC module, 2.5 kW IPOP two LLC
modules hardware prototype have been designed and tested.
The effectiveness and performance of the proposed ICBT is
verified experimentally. The electrical specifications for (b)
Fig. 11. Simulation results of two LLC modules with mismatched
simulation and experimental results are shown in Table I, parameters and without proposed ICBT. (a) ‫ݒ‬௔௕ଵ , ݅௥ଵ , ‫ݒ‬௔௕ଶ , ݅௥ଶ . (b) ‫ܫ‬௢ , ‫ܫ‬௢ଵ ,
while ICBT parameters are listed in Table II. ‫ܫ‬௢ଶ .
Single LLC module parameters are utilized as module 2 in
IPOP LLC modules. An intentional mismatch in parameters
is created for module 1. Where, resonance inductance,
capacitance and magnetizing inductance value for module 1
are; ‫ܮ‬௥ଵ ൌ ͵ͳǤ͹‫ ܪݑ‬,‫ܥ‬௥ଵ ൌ ͵͹͹݊‫ ܨ‬, ‫ܮ‬௠ଵ ൌ ͳͺͲ‫ ܪݑ‬. While a
small mismatch is also created in transformer turn ratio,
݊ଵ ൌ ͳǤͲͷ, ݊ଶ ൌ ͲǤͻͷ for module 1 and 2 respectively.
Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 shows the simulation results of LLC
resonant converter modules with mismatched parameters
without proposed ICBT, and with proposed ICBT
respectively. Where, ‫ݒ‬௔௕ଵ , ‫ݒ‬௔௕ଶ , ݅௥ଵ and ݅௥ଶ are the voltages
across the MOSFET bridges and resonant inductor currents
of two modules respectively. While, ‫ܫ‬௢ଵ , ‫ܫ‬௢ଶ and ‫ܫ‬௢ are the (a)
output currents of module 1, 2 and total load current
respectively. Similarly, experimental results with mis-
matched parameters without proposed ICBT, and with
proposed ICBT are shown in Figs. 13 and Fig. 14
respectively. Fig. 15 shows the hardware prototype of IPOP
LLC modules.

Vin [350V / div] ir [20 A / div] vab [350V / div]

(b)
Fig. 12. Simulation results of two LLC modules with mismatched
parameters and with proposed ICBT. (a) ‫ݒ‬௔௕ଵ , ݅௥ଵ , ‫ݒ‬௔௕ଶ , ݅௥ଶ . (b) ‫ܫ‬௢ , ‫ܫ‬௢ଵ ,
isec [20 A / div] ‫ܫ‬௢ଶ .

Fig. 10. Experimental results of single LLC module (ܸ௜௡ , ݅௥ , ‫ݒ‬௔௕ , ݅௦௘௖ ).



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 ir1[10 A / div ] vab1[200V / div]

ir 2 [10 A / div] vab 2 [200V / div]

(a)

I o [10 A / div] I o 2 [10 A / div]

I o1[10 A / div]

Fig. 15. Picture of the proposed IPOP LLC modules hardware prototype.

(b)
Fig. 13. Experimental results of two LLC modules with mismatched TABLE II. PARAMETERS OF THE PROPOSED ICBT
parameters and without proposed ICBT. (a) ‫ݒ‬௔௕ଵ , ݅௥ଵ , ‫ݒ‬௔௕ଶ , ݅௥ଶ . (b) ‫ܫ‬௢ , ‫ܫ‬௢ଵ , Self-inductance ሺ‫ܮ‬௦௘௟௙ଵ ሻ 330.8 uH
‫ܫ‬௢ଶ .
Self-inductance ሺ‫ܮ‬௦௘௟௙ଶ ሻ 330 uH
ir1[10 A / div] vab1[200V / div] Magnetizing inductance ሺ‫ܯ‬ሻ 300.185 uH
Coupling co-efficient ሺ݇ሻ 0.908
Number of turns ሺܰ௜௖௕௧ ሻ 7:7

vab 2 [200V / div]

ir 2 [10 A / div]
(a)
I o [10 A / div]
VII. CONCLUSION
In this paper, ICBT based IPOP LLC resonant converter
modules is proposed. The proposed method does not require
extra current balancing cell. Thus, the proposed magnetic
integration significantly reduces the overall magnetic
volume, and increase the power density of the IPOP LLC
resonant converter modules. Furthermore, the proposed
ICBT ensures equal power distribution between constituent
I o 2 [10 A / div]
LLC resonant converter modules. The performance of
proposed ICBT is verified by a 2.5 kW hardware prototype.

I o1[10 A / div] ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This work was supported by the National Research
Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea
government (MSIT) (NRF-2019R1A2C1006367).
(b)
Fig. 14. Experimental results of two LLC modules with mismatched
parameters and with proposed ICBT. (a) ‫ݒ‬௔௕ଵ , ݅௥ଵ , ‫ݒ‬௔௕ଶ , ݅௥ଶ . (b) ‫ܫ‬௢ , ‫ܫ‬௢ଵ , ‫ܫ‬௢ଶ . REFERENCES
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